CLEAN-up workers in the Forest are dealing with as many as five cases of rubbish dumping a day – including highly toxic asbestos.

The Forestry Commission reports its specialist contractor, Mitie, has had to deal with six loads of dumped asbestos in the last month although the majority of illegal dumping is household waste.

A Commission spokeswoman said: "lllegal dumping of household rubbish and industrial wastes in the Forest of Dean has reached unbelievable levels. Is this how little we care about our Forest?"

The asbestos – which can cost up to £1,000 to be disposed of safely by specialists – has been found in car parks and gateways at Soudley Ponds, Speech House woods and Tidenham Chase.

As the Review went to press the specialist waste team had been alerted to a large quantity at Oak Hill, Tidenham.

Forest warden, Glynn Bullock warned that householders who allow their waste to be dumped illegally faced prosecution.

He said: "While we are especially concerned to get the dumping of asbestos stopped, the majority of fly-tipping we are dealing with appears to be coming from small building or house clearance jobs.  

"It is possible that householders are paying contractors to get rid of this waste for them and it is ending up dumped in the woods.

"Householders are still responsible under 'duty of care' regulations to ensure that their waste is disposed of by properly, and can be prosecuted if their waste is subsequently found to be illegally dumped.

"So, if you are having clearance or building work carried out at home always ask your contractors for their waste carriers licence and get a waste transfer note".

Forestry Commission recreation manager, Darren Edwards added: 'It is not only fly-tippers that are turning our Forest into a waste tip.  

"Regular litter picking of the main visitor sites by the Forestry Commission generates a huge quantity of rubbish – between April and June this year Forestry Commission contractors collected over 1,581 bags of litter – 14 transit van loads – from Beechenhurst Lodge, Mallards Pike and Symonds Yat. And that does not include the materials recovered from the official recycling bins.

"A sorry state of affairs, if we love our Forest – then please take your litter home with you – if you see a van dumping in a public place, take down the registration number and call the national reportline on 0800 807060."

Have you seen rubbish fly-tipped in the Forest or Wye Valley areas? Call the Review 01594 841113 or email details and photographs to: revieweditor@tindle

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